Irish Water has announced the completion of a €24 million project to deliver new wastewater treatment plants to seven towns and villages across County Waterford, benefiting over 22,000 households.
The areas, which include seaside towns with busy tourist trades and popular fishing locations, are Ardmore, Ballyduff, Kilmeaden, Cappoquin, Dunmore East, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally and Tallow. The investment will protect and improve water quality at receiving waters as well as facilitating future growth and economic development, and enabling the beach at Ardmore to achieve blue flag status. The new wastewater treatment plants will serve a future population equivalent of 22,700, facilitating ongoing population growth and economic development.
All the plants have been developed on new sites with a common treatment plant serving the villages of Ballyduff and Kilmeaden. Irish Water prioritised the construction of wastewater treatment plants at Ardmore and Dunmore East as there was inadequate treatment of sewage at both locations, and work was complete last year, three months ahead of schedule. Work on the remaining five facilities has been complete and they are now all operational, with final testing complete. The new treatment plants have replaced old facilities which had the potential to cause issues with water quality in local rivers and at seaside locations. Provision has been made for future population growth and an increase in holiday homes in the area.
Speaking at the official opening of the plant, Senator Paudie Coffey, said: “I am delighted to mark the official opening of seven new plants benefitting all those living in Ardmore, Cappoquin, Dunmore East, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally, Tallow, Ballyduff and Kilmeaden. This investment of €24 million is vital in ensuring we protect the receiving rivers and beaches which are so important to the vibrant tourism and fishing industry in County Waterford. Communities right across Waterford are today the beneficiaries of modern, new wastewater treatment facilities as a result of this investment that will provide for future growth and economic development.”
Irish Water regional operations manager Katherine Walshe added: “The new water collection systems and treatment plants at these seven locations across Waterford are replacing old and inadequate wastewater treatment facilities which can create issues around water quality in local rivers and can also have a negative impact on tourism potential in these areas. As a result of new treatment plants at Ardmore and Dunmore East, we have been able to end the practice of the discharge of raw sewage at these locations, which has resulted in marked improvements in bathing water quality.”
Thanking all those involved in delivering on the project, Waterford City & County Mayor Adam Wyse said: “This is one of the many investments Irish Water is making to improve the water and wastewater infrastructure in Ireland that is in need of critical investment. I would like to thank Waterford City & County Council, and in particular the joint contractors EPS and Sorenson for their support in delivering this project ahead of time and within budget. This has allowed us to develop a modern wastewater network capable of meeting all current and future needs of the community across Waterford County.”
The project has been delivered in partnership with Waterford City & County Council and the works have been procured under a Design Build Operate (DBO) contract with the construction carried out by a joint venture between EPS and Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd with engineering services provided by Mott McDonald Ireland.
This article first appeared on wwtonline
